In the sun-drenched South of France, where the rhythm of life is slower but the padel courts are buzzing, a quiet revolution is underway. At the heart of it is Gabriele, an Italian finance professional-turned-entrepreneur, who’s turning the traditional aesthetics of padel gear on its head with Hayes Padel.
Born in San Francisco, Built in Europe
Hayes Padel is not your average padel brand. Named after Hayes Valley in San Francisco, where Gabriele spent nearly a decade soaking in the startup spirit, the brand channels the calm cool of its namesake neighborhood. “I wanted something that nodded to where my entrepreneurial journey really began,” Gabriele says. “And also in San Francisco ‘Hayes’ is pronounced “Ace”.
From his home in Toulouse, where he’s lived for eight years, Gabriele has grown Hayes Padel from a side project into a rising star in Europe’s padel scene. The brand launched its first racket—the Acapulco 69—in May 2024, just 10 months after the idea was born. “I noticed padel brands were all leaning into shiny, aggressive aesthetics. There was room for something different—more elegant, timeless and friendly.
“We don’t name our rackets with the purpose to frighten anyone. Our rackets isn’t Vipors or Killers or Extreme. They are good looking, high performance gear for good times”.
Design-Driven, Story-Led
Every Hayes Padel product tells a story. The Acapulco 69 is a teardrop racket tailored for control-seeking intermediates and pays tribute to padel’s birthplace. The Marbella 74, a diamond-shaped power tool for left-side warriors, nods to Marbella and the founding of Europe’s first padel club in 1974.
And coming in June: The Acapulco 69 Boost Control. A lightweight, forgiving model built for newcomers to the game.
What sets Hayes apart isn’t just storytelling—it’s style. “We’re inspired by vintage French aesthetics—pastel tones, classic lines. There’s space for elegance in padel,” Gabriele says. And it shows, particularly in their eye-catching Heritage racket bag, which wouldn’t look out of place on a runway.
From Toulouse to Jakarta
Though still a side hustle—Gabriele works full-time in finance—Hayes Padel is scaling fast. With customers across France, Italy, Spain, and even as far afield as the U.S. and Mexico, Hayes is finding fans wherever style meets substance. The brand is also making inroads into Southeast Asia, with Gabriele’s business partner leading development in Indonesia and expansion planned for Malaysia and the Philippines.
Behind the brand’s sleek surface is solid manufacturing muscle. Hayes works with top-tier suppliers who also produce for giants like Puma, Head, and Nox. “Performance is non-negotiable,” Gabriele explains. “But our positioning is where the magic happens—where performance meets style.”
Building the Padel Lifestyle
Beyond products, Gabriele sees Hayes Padel as part of a broader shift in padel culture—one that embraces lifestyle, design, and fashion. “Look at padel clubs in Miami or New York. It’s about the whole experience. Europe’s catching up, and we want to be a part of that conversation.”
The brand’s first corporate collaboration with French betting firm Winamax has already proven that co-branded rackets can be both creative and commercially viable. More B2B partnerships are on the horizon. Flexible minimum unit order are opening doors for niche collabs, which is perfect for clubs, companies, give aways and expos.
The Maverick Spirit
Hayes Padel is a brand for a new kind of player—style-conscious, community-minded, and hungry for gear that reflects their identity. It’s not just about winning points; it’s about expressing yourself while doing it.
“We’re still small,” Gabriele says. “But every month brings new momentum. With the right support, we can take Hayes to the next level.”
In a world where most padel brands are fighting to be louder, Hayes Padel is choosing to be smarter—and more stylish. And in doing so, it’s redefining what it means to show up on court.
